UK Conference to See Muslims and Interfaith Leaders Denounce Extremism and ISIS

The 12th National Peace Symposium organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will be a rallying cry for religious freedom in the face of growing militancy which has developed around the world in the last decade.

Against a backdrop of conflict in the Middle East and the brutal killings by ISIS, including the recent murder of innocent Christians in Libya, leaders will gather at the National Peace Symposium to pray for peace, commit to countering extremism in all its forms and vow to defend religious freedoms for all.

In a show of unity, senior British politicians, diplomats and senior faith leaders will gather at the largest Mosque in Western Europe, the Baitul Futuh Mosque in London, on Saturday 14thMarch, to rally against violence.

The focal point of the event will be keynote address by His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, who will denounce extremists for ignoring Islam's true teachings of peacefulness, tolerance and respect for the complete religious freedoms of all.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, who has also spoken at the Capitol Hill, the European Parliament and in the House of Commons, said:

"I condemn the activities of ISIS and other extremists groups as entirely un-Islamic. They are viciously spreading a network of terror in the world and undermining the human rights of all."

His Holiness said it was highly "disturbing" that hundreds of Muslim youths from all parts of the world were being attracted by ISIS and were going to Syria and Iraq to fight for them. His Holiness added:

"The agenda and objectives of ISIS are utterly horrific and barbaric."

The UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion Professor Heiner Bielefeldt, will be speaking at this event that will also be attended by Baroness Berridge, Chair of the UK All Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Ahmadiyya Muslim community is established in more than 200 countries, numbering tens of millions of followers. The community was founded in Qadian, India in 1889 by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, whose mission was to revive the peaceful teachings of Islam.

2. The Ahmadiyya Muslim community is now the largest organised Muslim community globally and makes an active contribution to civic life having:

Built over 15,000 mosques

Built over 500 schools and over 30 hospitals

Raised over £3M for British charities

Translated the Holy Qur'an into over 70 languages

Established the world's first global satellite Muslim television channel (MTA International)